Static attitude adjustment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A slider head of a suspension supports a read/write head for data transfer to and from a data storage disk. Deviation from a pitch static attitude and a roll static attitude of the suspension arises due to manufacturing variations, resulting in inefficient data transfer. The deviation results in pitch and roll errors. Various methods have been provided for correcting the pitch and roll errors. The application of conventional methods using conventional apparatus results in the suspension either being damaged or experiencing bending cross-talk. An embodiment of the invention provides two pairs of probes with each probe having a free end for abutting and thereby cooperating for gripping the suspension. Each pair of probes allows for two degrees-of-freedom for respectively adjusting the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude of the suspension. The contact configuration of the probes substantially reduces bending cross-talk while substantially alleviating damage to the suspension.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. (Not Assigned Yet), filed on Apr. 8, 2002, entitled “A Fly-Height Positioning Apparatus” by inventors Sow Long Wong and Yi Qiang Yang, the entirety of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a static attitude adjustment apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to a static attitude adjustment apparatus for adjusting pitch and roll static attitudes of a head slider of a suspension.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Suspensions are well known and commonly used within dynamic magnetic and optical information storage devices or drives. A suspension is a component which positions a magnetic read/write head over a desired position on a storage medium, for example, a rigid disk. At a free end of the suspension is a head slider for supporting the read/write head. The suspension is normally combined with an actuator arm to which a mounting region of the suspension is mounted so as to position the suspension and thus the head slider and the read/write head in the desired position.

[0004] The aerodynamically designed head slider enables the head slider to “fly” on an air bearing generated by a spinning storage disk. The “flying” action positions the head slider at a fly height. The suspension is resilient to allow movements in pitch and roll directions to accommodate surface variations in the spinning storage disk. The roll axis is the longitudinal axis of the suspension and the pitch axis is perpendicular to the roll axis and the surface of the suspension.

[0005] Densely packed data on a storage disk requires precision in positioning the read/write head over the storage disk. Therefore, the attitude of the head slider as it “flies” over the disk surface is an important performance criterion.

[0006] When the suspension is not actually flying over a spinning disk, the fly height is simulated by applying a force to the suspension. The attitude of the head slider under this simulated state is termed the static attitude. The static attitude can be measured with reference to the pitch and roll axes of the suspension. A pitch static attitude and a roll static attitude are obtained when measured with reference to the pitch and roll axes respectively.

[0007] Deviation from the pitch and roll static attitudes can be quantified as pitch and roll errors. Pitch and roll errors can be caused by manufacturing variations of the suspension, handling of the suspension and other factors contributed during or after manufacturing. Pitch and roll errors result in the read/write head being positioned wrongly and thus affecting the efficiency of data transfer to or from the disk.

[0008] Various methods exist for correcting pitch and roll errors. One method employs a laser array for generating laser radiation directed at a load beam portion of the suspension. By controlling the amount of laser radiation, a desired bend in the suspension is achieved. However, the laser radiation method results in changes in the geometry of the suspension. As changes in the geometry of the suspension lead to a change in the natural frequency of the suspension and thus the dynamic characteristics of the suspension, unwanted resonance may occur at operating frequencies.

[0009] Another method employs pointed probes to abut and bend the suspension. However, the point contact of the pointed probes results in bending “cross-talk” which results in changes in the pitch axis when the suspension is bent about the roll axis and in changes in the roll axis when the suspension is bent about the pitch axis. Moreover, the pointed probes cause scratches to the surface of the suspension.

[0010] There is hence a need for a static attitude adjustment apparatus for adjusting the pitch and roll static attitudes of a suspension while reducing unwanted resonance as well as bending “crosstalk”.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a static attitude adjustment apparatus comprising:

[0012] a first manipulator for receiving a first portion of a suspension, the first manipulator being engagable to the first portion of the suspension to hold the first portion of the suspension, and the suspension being resilient; and

[0013] a second manipulator for receiving a second portion of the suspension, the second manipulator being engagable to the second portion of the suspension to hold the second portion of the suspension, wherein the second manipulator cooperates with the first manipulator for bending the suspension.

[0014] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a static attitude adjustment method comprising the steps of:

[0015] receiving a first portion of a suspension within a first manipulator, the first manipulator being engagable to the first portion of the suspension to hold the first portion of the suspension, and the suspension being resilient; and

[0016] receiving a second portion of the suspension within a second manipulator, the second manipulator being engagable to the second portion of the suspension to hold the second portion of the suspension,

[0017] wherein the second manipulator cooperates with the first manipulator for bending the suspension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a side view of a static attitude adjustment apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention with a partial side view of a mounting structure;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the static attitude adjustment apparatus of FIG. 1 with a partial plan view of the mounting structure of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a reverse perspective view of the static attitude adjustment apparatus and the mounting structure of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a partial reverse perspective view of section ‘A’ of FIG. 3 of the static attitude adjustment apparatus and the mounting structure of FIG. 4;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a probe of the static attitude adjustment apparatus of FIG. 1 with an insert;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the insert of FIG. 5; and

[0025]FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the static attitude adjustment apparatus and the mounting structure of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] A static attitude adjustment apparatus for adjusting the pitch and roll static attitudes of a suspension while reducing unwanted resonance as well as bending “cross-talk” is described hereinafter.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention, a static attitude adjustment apparatus 20 is described with reference to FIG. 1, which shows a side view of the static attitude adjustment apparatus 20, FIG. 2, which shows a plan view of the static attitude adjustment apparatus 20, FIG. 3, which shows a reverse perspective view of the static attitude adjustment apparatus 20, and FIG. 4, which shows a partial reverse perspective view of section ‘A’ of FIG. 3 of the static attitude adjustment apparatus 20.

[0028] The static attitude adjustment apparatus 20 includes a pair of first and second manipulators 22. A pair of probes 24 extends from each manipulator 22. Each probe 24 is elongated and has a base end 26 and a free end 28. The base end 26 of the probe 24 is mounted onto a vertical actuator 30. The vertical actuator 30 is for positioning the probe 24 along a first axis (not shown). A horizontal actuator 32 extends from a support structure (not shown) to the vertical actuator 30 to connect the vertical actuator 30 to the support structure (not shown). The horizontal actuator 32 is for positioning the vertical actuator 30 and the probe 24 along a second axis (not shown), the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis. The vertical actuator 30 and the horizontal actuator 32 each includes a voice coil 36 for providing controlled actuation of the respective actuator 30/32, and a guide assembly 38 for providing a single degree-of-freedom.

[0029] The vertical actuator 30 and the horizontal actuator 32 are each electrically connected to a controller (not shown). The controller is preferably a programmable logic controller (PLC), microprocessor or a computer-based system.

[0030] A slot 40 is formed at the free end 28 of each probe 24 for receiving an insert 42 into the probe 24 as shown in FIG. 5, which shows a perspective view of the probe 24 with the insert 42, and FIG. 6, which shows a perspective view of the insert 42. The insert 42 is fixed to the free end 28 by a fastener (not shown). Each pair of probes 24 moves in opposing directions to form an open position (not shown) or a closed position (not shown). The pair of probes is positioned in the open position for the passage of a suspension 44 between the probes.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 7, which shows a partial side view of the static attitude adjustment apparatus 20 with a mounting structure 52 adjacently joined to the static attitude adjustment apparatus, a suspension 44 has a mounting region 46 and a slider head 48 constituting two extremities or ends of the suspension 44. The suspension 44 is planar, elongated and has two outwardly opposing surfaces 50. Furthermore, the suspension 44 is resilient for bending about a roll axis (not shown) and along a pitch axis (not shown). The roll axis is parallel to and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the suspension 44 and the pitch axis is generally perpendicular to the roll axis and one of the outwardly opposing surfaces 50.

[0032] With reference hereinafter to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, a head slider 48 is for supporting a read/write head when used in a storage device, for example, a fixed disk drive. A mounting region 46 of the suspension 44 is for mounting onto the mounting structure 52. When mounted onto the mounting structure 52, the suspension 44 extends perpendicularly from a front face 54 of the mounting structure 52.

[0033] A lifting assembly 56 is positioned for applying a force to one of the outwardly opposing surfaces, thereby positioning the head slider 48 of the suspension 44 at a flying position (not shown), the lifting assembly 56 being electrically connected to the controller. This is to simulate the head slider 48 of the suspension 44 flying on an air bearing generated by a spinning storage disk. When the head slider 48 is at the fly position, a roll static attitude (not shown) about the roll axis and a pitch static attitude (not shown) about the pitch axis can be measured from the head slider 48.

[0034] A measuring device (not shown) is positioned between the mounting structure 52 and a pair of support structures 34 with a line of sight to preferably one of the outwardly opposing surfaces 50 of the suspension 44 or the head slider 48. The measuring device preferably uses a laser-based transceiver for measuring the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude of the head slider 48 and for transmitting the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude to the controller. The measuring device is electrically connected to the controller.

[0035] The controller compares the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude of the head slider 48 for comparison with a reference roll attitude (not shown) and a reference pitch attitude (not shown) respectively. The reference roll attitude and the reference pitch attitude are pre-defined by a user who is preferably an operator or an administrator of the static attitude adjustment apparatus 20. The measured roll static attitude and pitch static attitude allows the controller to formulate an adjustment strategy for using the pair of manipulators 22 to bend the suspension so that the head slider 48 achieves the reference roll attitude and the reference pitch attitude.

[0036] Each pair of probes 24 moves along the second axis towards the front face 54 of the mounting structure 52 to receive a portion of the suspension 44 between the pair of probes, with the pair of probes 24 in the open position. Both pairs of probes 24 are then positioned in the closed position by the controller for abutting and thereby holding a first portion (not shown) and a second portion (not shown) of the suspension 44. Each insert 42 has an edge 58 which is straight and which is formed by two faces with an acute angle between the two faces. The edge 58 is parallel to the first axis and perpendicular to the front face 54 of the mounting structure 52. The insert 42 contacts one of the outwardly opposing surfaces 50 of the suspension along the edge 58.

[0037] The two pairs of probes 24 can be moved in the same direction along the first axis for bending the suspension along the pitch axis, thereby adjusting the pitch static attitude of the head slider 48 of the suspension 44. The edge 58 of each insert 42 of the two pairs of probes 24 substantially reduces bending of the suspension 44 about the roll axis when the suspension 44 is bent along the pitch axis. In addition, the two pairs of probes 24 can be moved in opposing directions along the first axis for bending the suspension about the roll axis, thereby adjusting the roll static attitude of the head slider 48 of the suspension 44. The edge 58 of each insert 42 of the two pairs of probes 24 substantially reduces bending of the suspension 44 along the pitch axis when the suspension 44 is bent about the roll axis.

[0038] The four line-contacts provided by every edge 58 of the inserts 42 of the two pair of probes 24 and the alignment of the edges 58 with the roll axis substantially prevents bending “cross-talk” between the pitch and roll axis. The prevention of bending “cross-talk” isolates the pitch static attitude from the roll static attitude when the suspension 44 is being adjusted by bending the suspension 44.

[0039] The ability to remove the insert 42 from each probe 24 allows the material of the probe 24 to be different from the material of the insert 42. The insert is preferably made from a soft material, for example plastic, to prevent the two outwardly opposing surfaces 50 of the suspension 44 from being scratched or damaged.

[0040] In this section, a static attitude adjustment apparatus is described according to an embodiment of the invention for addressing the weaknesses of current conventional static attitude adjustment apparatus and methods. Although only one embodiment of the invention is disclosed, numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A static attitude adjustment apparatus comprising: a first manipulator for receiving a first portion of a suspension, the first manipulator being engagable to the first portion of the suspension to hold the first portion of the suspension, and the suspension being resilient; and a second manipulator for receiving a second portion of the suspension, the second manipulator being engagable to the second portion of the suspension to hold the second portion of the suspension, wherein the second manipulator cooperates with the first manipulator for bending the suspension.
 2. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a controller for positioning the first and second manipulators along a first axis and a second axis, the first and second manipulators being one of electrically or pneumatically connected to the controller.
 3. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.
 4. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a mounting structure for mounting a mounting region of the suspension thereonto, the suspension being planar, elongated, and the mounting region and a slider head constituting two extremities of the suspension, and the slider head of the suspension being bendable about a roll axis and along a pitch axis, the roll axis being the longitudinal axis of the suspension and the pitch axis being perpendicular to the roll axis and a surface of the suspension.
 5. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 4, wherein each of first and second manipulators comprising: a pair of probes arranged for reciprocating in opposing directions and for receiving a portion of the suspension therebetween, the pair of probes for cooperating to abut two outwardly opposing surfaces on the suspension and thereby hold the suspension and each probe having a free end.
 6. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 5, further comprising an insert being removably coupled to the free end of each probe, each insert having an edge formed by two outwardly opposing faces having an acute angle therebetween.
 7. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the insert of the probe abuts one of the outwardly opposing surfaces of the suspension along the edge.
 8. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the edge is generally parallel to the roll axis, the roll axis being generally parallel to the first axis.
 9. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 4, further comprising a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly for applying a force to the suspension and thereby positioning the slider head of the suspension at a flying position, and the slider head having a roll static attitude and a pitch static attitude at the flying position.
 10. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a measuring device for measuring the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude of the slider head of the suspension mounted onto the mounting structure, the measuring device being electrically connected to the controller for transmitting the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude to the controller.
 11. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the controller reciprocates the first and second manipulators along the first and second axes for permanently deforming the suspension such that the pitch static attitude and the roll static attitude of the slider head matches a reference pitch attitude and a reference roll attitude, the reference pitch attitude and the reference roll attitude being predetermined by a user.
 12. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the first and second manipulators reciprocate in opposing directions along the first axis for bending the suspension about the roll axis and thereby adjusting the roll static attitude of the slider head.
 13. The static attitude adjustment apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the first and second manipulators reciprocate in the same direction along the first axis for bending the suspension along the pitch static attitude and thereby adjusting the pitch static attitude of the slider head.
 14. A static attitude adjustment method comprising the steps of: receiving a first portion of a suspension within a first manipulator, the first manipulator being engagable to the first portion of the suspension to hold the first portion of the suspension, and the suspension being resilient; and receiving a second portion of the suspension within a second manipulator, the second manipulator being engagable to the second portion of the suspension to hold the second portion of the suspension, wherein the second manipulator cooperates with the first manipulator for bending the suspension.
 15. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 14, further comprising the step of: providing a controller for positioning the first and second manipulators along a first axis and a second axis, the first and second manipulators being one of electrically or pneumatically connected to the controller.
 16. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 15, wherein the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.
 17. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 15, further comprising the step of: mounting a mounting region of the suspension onto a mounting structure, the suspension being planar, elongated, and the mounting region and a slider head constituting two extremities of the suspension, and the slider head of the suspension being bendable about a roll axis and along a pitch axis, the roll axis being the longitudinal axis of the suspension and the pitch axis being perpendicular to the roll axis and a surface of the suspension.
 18. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 17, further comprising the steps of: providing a pair of probes extending from each of first and second manipulator; and arranging each pair of probes for reciprocating in opposing directions and for receiving a portion of the suspension therebetween, the pair of probes for cooperating to abut two outwardly opposing surfaces on the suspension and thereby hold the suspension and each probe having a free end.
 19. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 18, further comprising the step of: providing an insert being removably coupled to the free end of each probe, each insert having an edge formed by two outwardly opposing faces having an acute angle therebetween.
 20. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 19, wherein the insert of the probe abuts one of the outwardly opposing surfaces of the suspension along the edge.
 21. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 20, wherein the edge is generally parallel to the roll axis, the roll axis being generally parallel to the first axis.
 22. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 17, further comprising the step of: providing a lifting assembly for applying a force to the suspension and thereby positioning the slider head of the suspension at a flying position, and the slider head having a roll static attitude and a pitch static attitude at the flying position.
 23. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 22, further comprising the step of: measuring the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude of the slider head of the suspension by a measuring device, the measuring device being electrically connected to the controller for transmitting the roll static attitude and the pitch static attitude to the controller.
 24. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 23, further comprising the step of: reciprocating the first and second manipulators along the first and second axes for permanently deforming the suspension such that the pitch static attitude and the roll static attitude of the slider head matches a reference pitch attitude and a reference roll attitude, the reference pitch attitude and the reference roll attitude being pre-determined by a user and the first and second manipulators being controlled by the controller.
 25. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 24, further comprising the step of reciprocating the first and second manipulators in opposing directions along the first axis for bending the suspension about the roll axis and thereby adjusting the roll static attitude of the slider head.
 26. The static attitude adjustment method as in claim 25, further comprising the step of reciprocating the first and second manipulators in the same direction along the first axis for bending the suspension along the pitch static attitude and thereby adjusting the pitch static attitude of the slider head. 